Oil in Our Oceans

A Review of the Impacts of Oil Spills on Marine Invertebrates
By Michele Blackburn, Celeste Mazzacano, Candace Fallon, and Scott Hoffman Black.

Exploring the impacts of oil spills on invertebrates of all types, from corals and zooplankton to crabs and oysters, the report clearly establishes that an oil spill has immediate impacts on invertebrates, and continues affecting wildlife for years, even decades, after the cleanup crews have left. The report reviews the significance of invertebrates to the marine ecosystem and commercial fisheries, identifies the impacts of oil spills, and makes recommendations on how to reduce these impacts. It includes a section on the Deepwater Horizon and a series of profiles of species of particular concern in the Gulf of Mexico.

Funding for this report was provided by Cinco and Xerces Society members.